Welcome Week: Things You Need to Know

Welcome Week

Attention students, save the date! Welcome Week will be held from August 26^th to September 5^th. Welcome Week is designed to welcome all new and returning students back to campus. There will be plenty of fun and informative activities for all students to enjoy as they prepare for the new semester.

Day 1 – Monday, August 26^th

On the first day of Welcome Week, make sure that you validate your student id in the Hall of Governors. Validating your student id will allow you to utilize the services that GSU has to offer, like working out in the Fitness & Recreation Center and checking out books in the library. If you are not able to do it on the first day, don’t fret. I.D. validation will be going August 26^th to August 29^th from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can also validate it at Student Central located by GSU’s main entrance at any time.

Come rock out with your fellow students and the Psychology Club in the Rock Band Video Competition. It will be held in the Cafeteria Annex from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. You can either play the drums, sing, or pound on the guitar to different genres of music. A cash prize will be awarded to the winner so come put those skills to the test. It only costs $1 to play and the proceeds will be given to the Psychology Club to fund future educational activities.

If you are looking for a job on campus or people to network with, then check out the student employment fair sponsored by GSU’s Career Services. This fair will be held in the Hall of Governors from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. There, career services representatives and potential employers will help you find opportunities to work where you go to school.

If you’re getting a little hungry in the midst of all the Welcome Week festivities, check out “Pizza on the Terrace” sponsored by the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park. Pizza will be served from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the terrace. The terrace is located on the second floor, adjacent to the Academic Computing Services (ACS) Lab. So come have a slice of pizza while getting a grand view of GSU’s very own sculpture park.

Day 2 – Tuesday, August 27th

Need to get your license renewed but don’t want to wait in a long line at the DMV? The Illinois Secretary of State’ mobile service unit will be in the Hall of Governors from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. to serve the GSU community. Get that license or state id renewed or replaced, buy vehicle stickers, and take eye and written exams and so much more. Get everything done that you would need to do at a DMV here, without the long line.

Show your support by coming to the Annual LGBTQA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Questioning, Allied) Reception in the Cafeteria Annex from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. This event, hosted by GSU’s GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) and the Office of Wellness and Diversity, is the first time an event like this has been held during GSU’s Welcome Week. So come meet people, make new friends, and find out how you can get involved in the LGBTQA community while enjoying some cake and ice cream.

For students new and old, come to the Student Resource Fair to learn all bout what GSU has to offer. It will be held in the Hall of Governors from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Representatives from clubs, organizations, amenities and other GSU services will be there to inform you on how they can become more involved around campus and the GSU community.

Love listening to 103.5 Kiss f.m.? Well they’ll be in the Hall of Governors from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Listen to your favorite music while enjoying all the other Welcome Week festivities. You could even when some prizes, like Kiss f.m. merchandise or tickets to a White Sox game.

Day 3 – Wednesday, August 28^th

Do you find it hard to resist distractions while driving? Remember that no text message, email, website, phone call, or video is worth risking your life or the life of someone else. At&t’s It Can Wait Campaign is coming to GSU to provide an interactive simulation for texting and driving. It will be held in the Hall of Governors from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. President Maimon will give a Welcome Address at 3 p.m. So come and take the pledge. Remember, it can wait.

Reconstructed, GSU’s online student literary magazine, is hosting a poetry slam in the cafeteria annex from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Share your creativity by reading your own poem or a poem written by someone else. Email Reconstructed for more information.

If would like to look at some exceptional art from local artist’s, stop by the Us/Plus Artist’s Reception from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m in the Visual Art Gallery.  Enjoy paintings, sculptures, mixed media exhibits, photography and collages of the GSU Art Programs Faculty and other GSU artists.

Day 4 – Thursday, August 29^th

Get to know your way around the university and the many services that are offered by participating in the Campus Crawl from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Campus Crawl encourages students to discover the location of student service offices and learn about the services each office provides. The treasure hunt replaces the information tables in the Hall of Governors that were a mainstay of previous welcome weeks. Each department is encourages to designate personnel to serve as greeters and provide information and answers to students. There will also be a photo booth in the Hall of Governors where you can take pictures using fun props as you make your way from one office to the next.

Day 5 – Friday, August 30^th

Enjoy a good laugh at GSU’s Student Senate’s LAFF session on August 30^th in the Center For Performing Arts. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. Special guest, comedian B Cole from Def Comedy Jam and BET Comic View, will host it. Featured comedians include Hozay, Da Wildcat, Brandon “Hot Sauce” Glover, and Marc Henderson. Tickets are only $10 for GSU students and $15 for non-students. Tickets can be purchased from the CPA box office or from any of your student senators.

                                                                                                                              

Day 6 – Monday, September 3^rd

To show how much GSU students mean to the university, Student Life is hosting the annual Welcome Back Skate at the Rich City Roller Rink in Richton Park from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. It’s completely free, so bring your friends and family for a fun night of skating, food, and music with GSU’s clubs and organizations.

Day 7 – Tuesday, September 4^th

Does your car need a good cleaning? GSU's Psychology Club will host its Annual Car Wash from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the red barn. The red barn is located just outside of GSU's main entrance. It only costs students $5 to get their car washed at it costs $7 for faculty and staff. So come on out and show your support! Proceeds will go to the Psychology Club to help fund future educational activities.

Day 8 – Wednesday September 5^th

For people who love to shop, check out the Student Vendor Fair in the Hall of Governors from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.! Show your support these students who will be selling a product or service on your way to class. Pick something out for yourself or grab a gift for someone else. It will be a wall-to-wall shopping experience, so make sure you stop by!

Enjoy Welcome Week Tweaders, and until next time…TWAG ON!